[Determination of the range of physiologic variation of the electrical axes using P, QRS, and T waves in pregnancy]. / Determinazione del limite di variabilità fisiologica degli assi elettrici medi delle onde P, QRS e T in gravidanza.

Since functional overload in pregnancy frequently induces the appearance of symptoms that could arouse suspicion of myocardiopathy, it is important to analyse and characterize all electrocardiographic modifications during a healthy subject's pregnancy. Variations of the mean electrical axis (A) of P, QRS and T waves were evaluated in 52 healthy volunteers, 17-37 years, during pregnancy. The A values were measured, in the frontal plane, at the end of both I and III quarter of pregnancy, using a method of scalar determination. The As in I and III quarters was compared with those observed in the post-partum (at 5th day) and statistical evaluations were performed (Student t-test for paired observations). In the I quarter the mean A was 40 +/- 3 degrees for P, 40 +/- 16 degrees for QRS and 32.5 +/- 9 degrees for T wave, whereas in the III quarter the mean A changed to 37 +/- 2 degrees for P, 34 +/- 18 degrees for QRS and 31 +/- 9 degrees for T. During pregnancy, all mean As significantly diverted to the left side, AP about 3 degrees, AQRS about 6 degrees and AT about 1.5 degrees. These results were also confirmed by analysis of A frequency distribution histograms. In the post-partum (5th day) the A resumed basal values (I quarter's values). These results show: i) the physiological range of AP, AQRS and AT, during pregnancy; ii) left deviation of all three As at the end of III quarter. It is possible to conclude that variation over this range, particularly for QRS, could give evidence of the onset of cardiopathy.

Alpha-fetoprotein assay in patients treated with low-dose oral contraceptives.

AFP has proven to be a useful marker for liver neoplasms. The authors assayed AFP plasma levels in patients taking low-dose estro- progestinics . Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of their living habits. No difference was found in any group between AFP levels before and after treatment. However, in the group of smokers using oral contraceptives AFP levels were significantly higher.

PIP: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) plasma levels were assayed in women taking low dose combined preparations as AFP has proven to be a useful marker for benign or malignant liver neoplasms. 150 patients who sought advice on oral contraceptives (OCs) at the day centers of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Sassari (Italy) were examined. They ranged in age from 18-40 and all underwent the usual tests for detecting changes in the hepato-biliary function. Patients with previous liver pathologies were excluded on the basis of anamnesis and hematochemical tests. The study concentrated on 110 patients who were subdivided into 3 groups on the basis of some living habits. Group 1 included women only taking OCs; group 2 those who took OCs and smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day (OC+smoke); and group 3 included patients using OCs and taking alcoholic drinks as a habit (OC+alcohol). Serum AFP was assayed in all patients prior to treatment; the 2nd assay was carried out after a period of therapy with combined OCs lasting from 24-36 months. The data obtained were statistically analyzed according to the variance method. All changes in AFP levels in the 3 groups before and after combined OC treatment were compared and differences between the groups studied. There were no statistical differences between AFP levels before and after treatment in the 3 groups examined. In all cases, AFP levels were well below 25ng%ml. In the group of smokers who used OCs, AFP levels were significantly higher than in the higher 2 groups. These increased levels were always within normal limits and never reached 25ng%ml; AFP exceeding this value is considered as evidence of liver damage. The data show that the association of smoking and OCs can have unfavorable impications for the liver function.

[Cytological and bacteriological changes in women using the IUD]. / Alterazioni citologiche e batteriologiche nelle portatrici di DIU.

PIP: Vaginal cytological and bacteriological reports on 505 women with copper potentiated IUDs were examined and compared to those of a control group of 1050 women. No significant degree of difference in the incidence of dysplasia was observed though a modest increase in vaginal swelling, particularly that caused by monilia, was noted. (author's modified)^ieng

[Abscessing salpingo-oophoritis caused by Actinomyces in a woman using an IUD]. / Salpingo-ovarite ascessuale da Actinomices in donna portatrice di IUD.

PIP: Recent studies have demonstrated that there is a connection between actinomycetic genital swelling and longterm use of the Lippes Loop. After a literature review, a case of actinomycetic abscessing salpingo-ovaritis in a woman who had worn the same Lippes Loop for 12 years is reported. It is concluded that Actinomyces must be always considered a potential etiological agent in all cases where genital swelling is found in patients fitted with such loops. (author's modified)^ieng

Prolactin plasma levels and oral contraceptives at low dosage.

In the present study the Authors consider whether estroprogestins at low dosage may influence the basal levels of plasma Prolactin in a group of patients subdivided on the basis of their different ways of life. The results show that oral contraceptives containing 30 microgrammes of EE do not induce modifications on PRL levels; however these are significantly (p less than or equal to 0.01) lower in the smoker group. It has therefore been hypothesised that smoke may interfere with the regulatory mechanisms of PRL, even if the practical effects of such action in the ambit of the physiopathology of reproduction is not yet clear.

PIP: In this study, the authors considered whether estroprogestins at low dosage may influence the basal levels of plasma prolactin (PRL) in a group of patients subdivided on the basis of different lifestyle. Results showed that oral contraceptives containing 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol do not induce modifications of PRL levels; however, these are significantly lower (P or= 0.01) in the smoking group. It has therefore been hypothesized that smoke may interfere with the regulatory mechanisma of PRL, even if the practical effects of suck action on the physiopathology of reproduction are not yet clear.